On commissioning in 1940, she completed work ups for service in home waters, both the North Sea and the English Channel, which continued throughout 1941 and 1942. During April 1943, she was nominated for service in the Mediterranean. During that year, she provided cover for the Allied landings in Italy on Sicily (Operation Husky) and at Salerno (Operation Avalanche). During 1944, she was again deployed in the Mediterranean and in the Aegean Sea.
On 29 September 1945, Cleveland steamed from Gibraltar to Devonport and was placed in reserve.[1] She was sold for scrapping and was wrecked at Llangennith, Glamorgan, Wales, on 28 June 1957 while under tow to Llanelli, for scrapping.[2] The wreck was stripped and blown up in December 1959.[3]
References
^Critchley, Mike, "British Warships Since 1945: Part 3: Destroyers", Maritime Books: Liskeard, UK, 1982. ISBN0-9506323-9-2, page 29
^"Failure To Refloat Former Destroyer". The Times. No. 53930. London. 27 August 1957. col B, p. 4.